Story perspectives

Gunfire Disrupts White House Dinner; Shooter Identified

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Gunfire disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, prompting President Donald Trump’s escort from Washington Hilton.
Authorities identified the shooter as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives, who ran past metal detectors, triggering an armed officer response.
The presidential suite and evacuation route, added after the 1981 Reagan assassination attempt, were cited by Trump as showing the hotel is not secure.

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Story summary

Gunfire disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, prompting President Donald Trump’s escort from Washington Hilton.
Authorities identified the shooter as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives, who ran past metal detectors, triggering an armed officer response.
The presidential suite and evacuation route, added after the 1981 Reagan assassination attempt, were cited by Trump as showing the hotel is not secure.